1. What is Square Tubing Deflection?

Square tubing deflection refers to the displacement of a square tube under load when configured as a cantilever beam. It's an important engineering calculation for structural design and analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cantilever beam deflection formula:

Where:

• \( \delta_{end} \) — End deflection (m)
• \( P \) — Applied force (N)
• \( L \) — Length of the beam (m)
• \( E \) — Modulus of elasticity (Pa)
• \( I \) — Moment of inertia (m⁴)

Explanation: This formula calculates the maximum deflection at the free end of a cantilever beam with a point load applied at the end.

3. Importance of Deflection Calculation

Details: Calculating deflection is crucial for ensuring structural integrity, preventing excessive deformation, and meeting design specifications in engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in Newtons, length in meters, modulus of elasticity in Pascals, and moment of inertia in meters to the fourth power. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical modulus of elasticity for steel square tubing?
A: For most steel alloys, the modulus of elasticity is approximately 200 GPa (200 × 10⁹ Pa).

Q2: How do I calculate the moment of inertia for square tubing?
A: For a square tube, I = (b⁴ - h⁴)/12, where b is the outer dimension and h is the inner dimension.

Q3: What are acceptable deflection limits?
A: Deflection limits vary by application, but a common rule is to limit deflection to L/360 for floors and L/240 for roofs under live loads.

Q4: Does this formula account for distributed loads?
A: No, this formula is specifically for a point load at the end. Different formulas are used for distributed loads.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for materials other than steel?
A: Yes, as long as you input the correct modulus of elasticity for your material (aluminum ≈ 69 GPa, wood varies by species).